Today and tomorrow, Alex is participating in a SPAM Cook-Off Challenge at work. The rules of the challenge are that every dish MUST include SPAM. Now, we are HUGE fans of SPAM so we were definitely up for the challenge. For weeks we debated on what he should make and the other night it was decided and the Man Cake was born.

Yes, a Man Cake….a cupcake for men!

So here they are….Man Cakes!

Chocolate beer man cakes with candied SPAM inside topped with a Vanilla Stout Beer Frosting and garnished with candied SPAM.
They are delicious!!!!!

You can make your own delicious Man Cakes using this recipe!

The Man Cake

 

Cupcake Ingredients:

12 tablespoonsunsalted butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup Vanilla Porter, poured and settled before you measure
2 large eggs
1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
1 & 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 & 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup candied SPAM (recipe & directions below)

Directions

First you will need to make the candied SPAM. You will need 1 can of SPAM and 6 tablespoons of brown sugar.  Start by cutting SPAM into 1/8 x 1/8 inch cubes. Measure out 1 cup of cubed SPAM. Next mix the SPAM and brown sugar in a bowl and evenly coat the SPAM pieces. Once the SPAM is coated spread out on a Silpat on top of a cookie sheet and bake in oven at 300* for 30-45 minutes.

While the SPAM is in the oven, it is time to make the cupcake batter!

Step 1:

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.  Remove from heat and add cocoa until smooth.  Stir in the beer and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes.

With an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sour cream until smooth then add in the cooled chocolate mixture and beat until combined.

Step 2:

Add flour, sugar, baking soda and salt and beat on medium speed until combined.

Step 3:

Add ¾ cups candied SPAM to the mixture and combine with ingredients.

Step 4:

Divide the batter into the cups, filling about 2/3rd full.  Bake for 15 minutes or until the cupcakes bounce back when lightly pressed with a finger or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Frosting Ingredients:

8 TBSP softened butter
1/2 cup Crisco
7-8 cups powdered sugar
6 TBSP Vanilla Porter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch kosher salt
¼ of remaining candied SPAM

Frosting Directions

Beat the butter and Crisco on medium until combined and fluffy.  Add the powdered sugar, beer, vanilla and salt, mix on low until incorporated, then beat on medium-high until nice and fluffy.

Once your cupcakes are cool and your frosting is ready, frost your beautiful man cakes and top them with some of the remaining candied SPAM, then sit back, relax, eat a Man Cake and enjoy a beer!